News & Notes: May 18

Former star athlete to address drug, alcohol abuse

Shorewood - The Shorewood Athletic Booster Club is hosting an important presentation on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Shorewood High School auditorium, 1701 E. Capitol Drive.

David Peplinski was a promising soccer star at Marquette High School. In 2002, he was named the Wisconsin State Player of the Year and attended the University of St. Louis on a $35,000 a year athletic scholarship. His promising soccer career was destroyed when his alcohol and drug use, which started in high school, spiraled out of control. Through treatment and family support David has remained alcohol and drug-free for more than three years.

Peplinski will share his powerful message with students and parents alike. Everyone can learn something from his journey.

All North Shore parents are encouraged to attend and to bring students in grades seven to 12.

Board could act on proposal to drop class rank next month

Mequon - Members of the Mequon-Thiensville School Board could make a decision next month regarding the future of how and if class rank will be reported on Homestead High School students' transcripts.

If the board approves dropping class rank, the figure will not be included on high school transcripts for students applying to colleges and universities throughout the country.

The board solicited comments from the community at a meeting Monday night.

Reaction was mixed. Proponents said class rank unfairly penalizes some students at high-achieving high schools such as Homestead because the figure can work against students. Opponents, however, said dropping class rank could stifle competition.

The board will take the issue up at its next meeting at 7 p.m. June 21 at Homestead High School, 5000 W. Mequon Road.

Nicolet School Board to consider dropping class rank

Nicolet - The School Board will discuss a proposal to eliminate class rank at its meeting Monday.

The Curriculum Committee has been discussing class rank and the dual weighted/unweighted grading scales at the high school and is recommending the board drop class rank for the freshman and sophomore classes in the 2010-2011 school year.

Board OKs hiring interim director for Health Department

Shorewood - The Village Board approved advertising for an interim director of the Shorewood-Whitefish Bay Health Department at its meeting Monday. Cindy Tomasello, the current director, retires June 30.

Village Manager Chris Swartz suggested having the North Shore Health Department provide services while a Task Force determines what the village would like for future health services. The NSHD could provide services through December but the Task Force may take longer to compile its report. The two health departments have worked cooperatively on a number of issues over the years and currently share the services of a sanitarian.

Some on the Shorewood-Whitefish Bay Health Board felt that having the NSHD on an interim basis might bias the selection of future health services and wanted to hire a person to be interim director.

BID to operate Bay farmers market

Whitefish Bay - The village will be the third North Shore community with a farmers market. The Business Improvement District gained approval to establish the market on Berkeley Boulevard and Silver Spring Drive. Twenty three vendors are expected to sell at the market that will take place from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday in August and September.

City Market building will get exterior upgrades

Shorewood - The building housing City Market, North Shore Wheels, Gianelli's and McMenamin's will get a face lift, with new windows, masonry piers, fencing and light fixtures along the patio area and the removal of storefront platforms. The building, 2201-2013 E. Capital Drive, will be funded using $76,000 of tax incremental finance district money and $50,000 from the Business Improvement District Façade Improvement Grant Program. The owners will pay for the remainder of the estimated $252,000 cost of improvements.

The Village Board approved the grants Monday.

Friends of Bay Baseball to erect temporary shed

Whitefish Bay - The Friends of Bay Baseball received permission from the Village Board on Monday to erect a storage shed near the baseball diamond. The shed will provide storage for tools and equipment needed at the baseball field and concession stand. The shed would be in place for two months during the summer.

Village adopts Lake Drive traffic calming suggestions

Whitefish Bay - The Village Board adopted several suggestions to slow down traffic on Lake Drive. Ayres Associates studied and reported on ways to slow traffic and increase pedestrian safety on the street.

Bold crosswalk markings at 11 locations, a white edge line to delineate a travel lane on Lake Drive, and gateway surface treatments will be installed. Two speed board feed back signs have already been installed, one on the north end of the drive, the other on the south end.

New Homestead athletic director named

Mequon - The Mequon-Thiensville School Board approved the appointment of Ryan Mangan as athletic director at Homestead High School at a meeting Monday night.

Mangan currently serves as athletic director at Saint Thomas More High School in St. Francis. At the moment, Homestead is without an athletic director. John Krueger has been filling the position on an interim basis.

Superintendent Demond Means said thorough background and reference checks were made before Mangan was recommended for the position.

"There was one consistent message," Means said of the feedback he and fellow administrators received. "(Mangan) is a great communicator and put his students first."

Mangan will assume the position July 1.

Plensa sculpture to have rectangular base

Shorewood - The Village Board decided to follow the artist's wishes for the base of the sculpture being given to the village by an anonymous donor.

Internationally known artist Jaume Plensa created the sculpture and wanted a rectangular base for it. JJR , a parks consultant, recommended a curvilinear base to blend with the landscape design of the park.

Village Manager Chris Swartz said plans call for the sculpture to be installed in Atwater Park in September.

Phase 1 of Majestic Meadows subdivision approved

Mequon- The final plat for the first phase of Majestic Meadows subdivision on West Bonniwell and North Wasaukee roads was approved April 12. The first phase includes three lots and an out lot with a stormwater management pond. The council previously approved the plan in 2007 but the final plat was not recorded within the required time frame.

Fox Point joins 'Click It' to encourage seatbelt usage

Fox Point - The Police Department wants residents to buckle up and not just because it's the law but because it saves lives.

The department and others from all over Wisconsin are participating in the "Click It or Ticket" mobilization from May 24 to June 6. The program puts special emphasis on stopping motorists who are not wearing seatbelts.

"Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of preventable traffic deaths to zero in Wisconsin" Police Chief Thomas Czaja said.

He points out that those few seconds taken to "Click It" may avoid a traffic stop, a ticket and, most importantly, the lives of both drivers and passengers.

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